As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday this year, a lesser-known patriotic holiday, Flag Dayapproaches on June 14. While not as widely recognized as the Fourth of July, Flag Day has been celebrated for over a century. However, no place embraces this holiday quite like the charming town of Three Oaks, Michigan.
Filmmakers Andrew and Melissa Shea from Texas were drawn to this small town’s unique celebration and created a documentary titled “Flag Day,” which will premiere in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Denton areas on June 14, with an additional screening in Austin, Texas on July 4.
The Allure of Three Oaks
The Sheas have been spending their summers in southwest Michigan for the past 13-14 years. Their journey to Three Oaks began with a simple invitation from a local woman who mentioned the town’s Flag Day parade. Intrigued, they attended the parade and were captivated by the community’s spirit and the event’s unique charm.
Three Oaksa farming town about 70 miles from Chicagohas a rich history and a strong patriotic tradition. The town’s first Flag Day parade took place in 1953and it has since grown to become one of the largest and longest-running Flag Day parades in the nation. The Sheas saw an opportunity to document this event and explore its significance in the context of today’s divided American society.
A Moment of Unity
One of the most powerful moments in the documentary occurs about 30 minutes into the film. As a group of veterans raises an enormous flag, the sun breaks through the clouds, creating a moving and emotional scene. The filmmakers captured the genuine reactions of the locals, who were visibly touched by the moment. This scene highlights the deep respect and reverence the community has for the flag and the veterans who serve.
The Sheas were struck by the warmth and openness of the American Legion members in Three Oaks. Despite the seriousness of the flag-raising ceremony, there were also moments of humor and camaraderie. As one of the veterans joked, “we should probably put our drinks down before we do this,” the filmmakers were reminded of the human warmth that underlies the community’s deep reverence for the flag.
The Flag as a Symbol of Unity
Making the documentary deepened the Sheas’ respect for the American flag and the people who serve. Andrew Shea noted that it’s hard to separate the flag from service and veterans. The film captures the complexity of the flag’s meaning in today’s society, showing both its unifying power and the divisions that exist.
The documentary does not shy away from the underlying tensions in the community. It includes subtle references to political divisions, race, and even a Confederate flag sweatshirt. However, the Sheas chose not to editorialize or seek out talking heads to discuss these issues. Instead, they presented the moments as they occurred, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions.
As Flag Day approaches, the Sheas hope that their documentary will inspire people to take a moment to appreciate the flag and what it stands for. They see Three Oaks as an example of how a community can come together despite its differences. As Albert Brayboy Jr., one of the veterans in the film, says, “the flag is for everyone. It’s not Republican, it’s not Democrat—it’s for all of us.”